A trade association representing UK travel agents, tour operators, and the wider travel industry has issued a statement amid speculation surrounding fuel supplies and potential cancellations ahead of the May half-term.
May Half-Term Travel Uncertainty
With May half-term just two weeks away, this period is one of the busiest for airports, following the summer holidays and Christmas. Families are eager to escape for some sunshine, but many with holidays booked are facing uncertainty due to reports of jet fuel shortages. While some airlines have reassured customers, others have remained silent about the potential impact.
ABTA, which represents over 3,500 tour operators and travel agents across the UK, has now released a statement for Brits planning to travel during the school holidays and in the coming months.
ABTA's Assurance
Mark Tanzer, chief executive of ABTA, said: “We really don’t want people worrying about their holidays; planes are taking off daily and people are continuing to get away on their holidays. The Government and airlines are clear that there isn’t a problem with fuel supply. If you have a holiday booked in for the coming months – including the May half term – we expect it to go ahead as planned. Whilst there have been reports about cancellations globally, these amount to less than one percent of overall flights.”
ABTA has also created a dedicated page on jet fuel prices and availability, where holidaymakers can access the latest news and information. The website states: “While holidays are going ahead as planned, you may find it reassuring to know that, in the unlikely event a flight is cancelled – for whatever reason – there are lots of protections in place for UK travellers. This means you shouldn’t lose out on the money you paid for your flight, and if it’s a package holiday, that extends to the full cost of the package.”
ABTA further reiterated: “Wherever you are travelling and whatever the circumstances, we always recommend taking out travel insurance. Policies vary, so you should check yours carefully to make sure you know what is covered.”
Airlines Respond
Several airlines have also issued statements to reassure customers. Garry Wilson, CEO of easyJet holidays, said: “Our operations remain unaffected, so customers can be confident that not only will their holiday go ahead as planned, but there will be no surprise extra payments.”
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary told Reuters: “We think the risk of a supply disruption is receding. A month ago we were saying we're all fine until the end of May. The fuel companies are now saying they're seeing no supply disruption risk until the end of June.” However, he noted that Britain could be one of the most severely impacted markets in the event of a fuel crisis due to its significant oil imports from Kuwait.
For those with upcoming travel plans, ABTA advises staying informed through official channels and ensuring travel insurance is in place.
